Automatic safety-valve for water-gages.



No. 7|2,376. Patented Oct. 28, |902.

A. HARTWIG.

AUTOMATIC SAF-ETV VALVE F08 WATEBGAGES.

(Application lied Apr. 80, 1902.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH I-IARTWIG, OF MANSFIELD,`0HIO.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY-VALVE FOR WATER-GAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,376, dated October 28, 1902.

Application filed April 30,1902. Serial No. 105,369. (No modal.)`

To all wil/0.111, it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, ADoLPH HARTWIG, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Safety-Valves for Water-Gages, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic safety valves for water gages, which improvement is adapted to be used in connection with water-columns on steamboilers.

The objects of my improvement are, iirst,` to provide a means for closing the valve automatically when the gage-glass is broken by accident or otherwise, thereby preventing the escape of steam and water and obviating all danger of injury to the person; second, to afford facilities for replacing a broken gageglass with absolute safety, and, third, to construct an automatic valve that is simple in construction and reliable iu operation. tain these and other objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view ot' the valve and its operating mechanism through the center. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the releasing valvestem, showing releasing-pin and the manner of its attachment to the release valve-stem. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the movable valve-plug. Fig. Il is a View in cross-section of the tapered bushing, and Fig. 5 is a sec; tional detail view showing the stuffing-box and releasing-valve.

My invention comprises a body portion A,` containing a spherical or globular chamber c'. Vertically extending from this chamber and integral with the body portion is a pipe o3, having an external shoulder 1 formed therein and an exteriorlythreaded end. The lower end of the gage-glass `is connected with the threaded portion of the pipe oB by means of a stufting-box, which rests against the shoulder l. Anintegral horizontally-extending valve-chamber 2 also connects with the Vbody portion A and communicates with the chamber c through aperture c. Directly op- I at-l posite this aperture c an enlargement 3 is formed on the exterior of the body portion A, and this enlargement is provided with an aperture 4 `therein directly in alinement with aperture c. 'lhe outer end of this enlargement 3 is exteriorly screw threaded and adapted to receive an internally-threaded stuliing-box p4 thereon. A releasing valvestem o is received in the aperture 4L, the valvestem being provided with a screw-threaded portion p3, which threaded portion is received in the threaded stuffing-box and permits the valve-stem to be horizontally adjusted. The inner end of the valve-stem projects into the chamber c and is provided with a piu p, either integral therewith or preferably received in an orifice formed in the end of the valve-stem, whereby the pin may be renewed and another one substituted therefor when necessary. This pin s of less diameter than the valve-stein or the orifice c.

The opposite end d of the hollow valvechamber 2 is both exteriorly and interiorly screw-threaded and is adapted to be secured to the water-column. (Not shown.) A shoulder d is formed ou the free end of the valvechamber 2, which shoulder abuts against the wall of the water-column.

An interior shoulder 5 is formed in the bore Y of the valve-chamber at the inner end of the interiorly-threaded portion. The opening or aperture c, leading from the valve-chamber the tapered valve-seat e, and at its outer end the valve-plug is provided with an annular flange 7c, which snugly tits the borefof the valve-chamber. Longitudinally-extending peripheral grooves b b are formed on the outer surface of the valve-plug from the tapered portion 7' through the annular flange k,

ICO

dividing the flange into segments. Of course it is obvious that the conformations of the various parts may be changed, if desired, Without in any Wise departing from the scope of my invention.

A coiled spring h surrounds and encircles the Valve-plug i, the inner end of the spring bearing against the shoulder e3 and the outer end thereof contacting with the annular `ange 7c, tending to retain the valve in an open position. The grooves h h are of course closed when the tapered portion j is forced into the tapered seat e.

An annular eXteriorly-threaded bushing g is received in the interiorly-threaded end of the valve-chamber, the bushing being provided with a tapered bore a and adapted to restagainsttheinternalshoulder. Between this bushing, the inner face of which partially obstructs the bore f of the valve-chamber proper, and the anged end n of the valveplug?) is interposed a coiled spring fm, the inner end of which bears against the flanged end n of the valve-plug and the outer end of which contacts with the thickened inner face fm' of the bushing g. The spring m normally tends to retain the valve-plug i in place and force it toward its seat e.

The water in the column (not shown) normally flows through the interiorly-threaded portion of the valve-chamber 2, through the tapered aperture ct of the bushing g into the boref of the valve-cham ber proper, through the grooves b h formed in the valve-plug t', through valve-seat e and passage o, into the spherical chamber c', from whence it mounts into the gage -glass (not shown) through pipe c3.

The spherical chamber is provided with the usual drip-cock 6. The coil-springs 'm and 7L exert a tension on each side ot' the fiange k of the valve-plug t', and as the water in the boiler varies in volume or pressure the springs operate to reciprocate the valve-plug "i in the boref, thereby preventing the valveplug from sticking.

The pressure of the steam admitted to the gage-glass from the upper end thereof upon the surface of the water in the gage-glass tends to equalize the pressure of the water against the rear or fianged end n of the valveplug and prevents the valve-plug from being seated in its seat e, thus keeping the valvechamber open.

If the gage-glass is broken by accident or otherwise, the pressure of the steam upon the Water in the glass isrelieved and the waterpressure on the ianged end n of the valveplug, aided by spring m, immediately forces the tapered portion j of the valve-plug into its seat e, thus closing the communication between the column and the chamber c and preventing the escape of `the boiling water. When the glass has been replaced, the movable valve-plug rl is forced backward against the tension of spring-m by means of the rotating adjustable releasing valve-stem 0, the free end of the pinp entering the passage c and striking against the attened end p' of the tapered portion j of the valve-plug.

It will be observed that a safety-valve constructed as described is efficient and thoroughly practical in operation and insures absolute safety to the operator, as the valve is automatically closed when the gage-glass is broken, thereby preventing the escape of steam and water from the boiler. Two valves are attached, one above the other, to the Water column and are duplicates of each other, so that a description of one will suffice for both.

Slight changes may be made in the construction of the valve without deviating from the principle involved in my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An automatic-safety-valve casing comprising a body portion having a projecting valve-chamber casin g provided with a bore of varying diameter, a valve-seat formed in the bore, a movable valve-plug located in the valve-chamber, the valve-plug provided with a flange 7c, a shoulder formed in the bore of the valve-chamber casing, a spring located in the valve-chamberand surrounding the valve plug, a second spring located in the valvechamber, a removable bushing located in the bore of the valve-chamber casing, the second spring bearing against the anged end of the valve-plug and the bushing respectively.

2. An automatic safety-valve for water-columns on boilers, comprising a body portion provided with a projecting valve-casing, the end of the valve-casing exteriorly threaded for engagement with the water-column, the valve-casing provided with a valve-chamber of varying diameter and having a valve-seat formed therein, a coil-spring located in the valve-chamber, a shoulder surrounding the valve-seat, one end of the spring bearing against the shoulder, a movable valve-plug surrounded by the spring, the valve-plug provided with a flange against which the opposite end of the spring bears, a bushing inserted in the end ot' the valve-casing, a second spring located between the bushing and the flanged end of the valve-plug, a rotatable releasing-pin mounted-in the body portion of the safety-valve to force the valve-plug away from the valve-seat.

3. An automatic safety-valve comprising a hollow body portion, a valve-casing projecting therefrom, the valve-casing inclosing a valve-chamber, a valve-seat formed in the valve-chamber aording communication between the hollow body portion and the valvechamber, a coil-spring located in the valvechamber, a valve-,plug surrounded by the spring and adapted to contact with the valvelseat, a flange formed on the valve-plug, a second spring located behind the valve-plug and a bushing provided with a tapered bore lo- ICS IIO

' ing inserted in the valve-casing, the second spring bearing against the end of the valve-V plug and the bushing, respectively.

5. An automatic safety-Valve comprising a hollow body portion, a valve-casing connected thereto, the valve-casing inclosing a valvechamber in communication with the hollow body portion and provided with a valve-seat, a `flanged valve -plug located in the valve` chamber, a coiled spring surrounding the valve-plug, the valve-plug adapted to contact with the valve-seat, a second spring located in the` valve-chamber, a bushing inserted within the valve-casing the second spring contacting with the valve-plug and bushing respectively, an enlargement on the body portion, a valve-stem rotatably supported in the enlargement, and a removable releasing-pin iitted to the inner end of the rotatable valve-` stem, the releasing-pin adapted to force the valve-plug from its seat.

6. An automatic safety-valve for watergages comprising a hollow body portion, and a valve-casing, the valve-casing inclosing a valve-chamber which comm unicates with theV hollow interior of thebody portion, a valveseat formed in the valve-chamber, a movable valve-plug located within the valve-chamber,1

oppositely-acting tension devices located within the valve-cham ber and bearing against the valve-plug to actuate it in opposite directions.

7. An automatic safety-valve comprising a hollow body portion, a pipe integrally secured therewith, the bore of the pipe in communication with the hollow interior of 'the body portion, a valve-casin g integral with the body portion, the valve-casing inclosing a Valvechamber of varying diameter incommunication with the hollow interior of the body portion, a valve-seat formed in the valve-chamber, a movable valve-plug adapted to contact with the valve-seat to close the communication between the valve-chamber and hollow body portion, tension means located in the valve-chamber and exerting pressure on either side of the Valve-plug and removable means for retaining the plug land springs in position.`

8. An automatic safety-valve comprising a hollow body portion, a pipe secured therewith,

the bore of the pipe in communication with the hollow interior of the bodyportion, a valvecasing, the valve casing inclosing a valvechamber of Varying diameter in communication with the hollow interior of the body portion, a valve-seat formed in the valve-chamber, a movable valve-plug adapted to contact with the valve-seat to close the communication between the valve-chamber and hollow t body portion, an annular shoulder formed at the juncture of the valve-seat and valvechamber, a coiled spring surrounding the valve-plug, a flange on the valve-plug, the iiange snugly fitting the bore of the VValvechamber, and provided with grooves therein, the coiled spring bearing against the shoulder and the flange, respectively, the end of the valve-casing provided with internalscrewthreads, an annular externally-threaded bushing received in the valve-casing, and a sec- `ond spring located in the valve-chamber between the bushing and the flanged end of the valve-plug against which the ends of the second spring bear, respectively.

An automatic safety-valve comprising a -hollow body portion, a pipe secured therewith, the bore of the pipe in communication with tion and in commu nication with the hollow interior thereof, the boreof the enlargement being in alinement with the bore of the valvechamber, an internally-screw-threaded stuffin g-box received on the enlargement, a valvestem receivable in the bore of theenlargement and projecting into the hollow body portion, the valve-stem provided with a screw-threaded portion registering with the screw-threads in the stuffing-box to permit the valve-stem to rotatively travel into the valve-chamber to unseat the valve and to be withdrawn therefrom.

lO. An automatic safety-valve comprising a hollow body portion, a pipe, the bore of which communicates therewith, a valve-casing in-` closing a val ve-chamber communicating with the hollow interior of the body portion, a tapered valve-seat formed in the valve-chamber near the point of communication with the hollow body portion, an internal shoulder formed in the valve-chamber, a Valve-plug locatedin the valve-chamber and provided with a tapered end adapted to contactwith the valveseat to close communication between the valvechamber and hollow body portion, a iange formed on the valve-plug, the ange snugly fitting the bore of the valve-chamber, the valve-plug'provided with longitudinallyextending peripheral grooves which pass IOO TIO

` the shoulder and ange, respectively, the

through the flange, a coiled spring encircling the valve-plug, the ends of the spring bearing against the shoulder and ange, respectively, the Valve-casing provided with an interiorly-threaded portion, an internal annular shoulder formed at the juncture of the interiorly-threaded portion and the valve-chamber, an eXteriorly-threaded bushing provided with a tapering bore received in the internal screw-threaded portion of the valve-casing, the thicker inner face of the bushing partially closing'the valve-chamber, the bushing adjustable between the last-named shoulder and the end of the valve-casing, and a coiled spring interposed between the inner end of the bushing and the flanged end of the valveplug against which the ends of the second spring bear, respectively.

11. An automatic safety-Valve comprising a hollow body portion, a pipe, the bore of which communicates therewith, a valve-casing inclosing a valve-chamber communicating with the hollow interior of the body portion, a tapered valve-seat formed in the valve-cham ber near thepoint of communication with the hollow body portion, an internal shoulder formed in the valve-chamber, a valve-plug located in the valve-chamber and provided with a tapered end adapted to contact with the valve-seat to close communication be# tween the valve-plug, the ange snugly fitting the bore of the valve-chamber, the valve-plug provided with longitudinally-extending peripheral grooves which pass through the flange, a coiled spring encircling the Valveplug, the ends of the spring bearing against Valve-casing provided with an interiorlythreaded portion, an internal annular shoulder formed at the juncture of the interiorlythreaded portion and the valve-chamber, an eXteriorly-threaded bushing provided with a tapering bore received in the internal screwthreaded portion of the valve casing, the thicker inner face of the bushing partially closing the valve-chamber, the bushing adjustable between the last-named shoulder and the end ofthe valve-casing,a coiled spring interposed between the inner end of the bushing and the flanged end of the valve-plug against which the ends of the second spring bear, respectively, a hollow externally-screwthreaded enlargement formed on the body portion opposite and in alinement with the valve-chamber, the bore of the enlargement `in communication with the hollow interior of the body portion, an interiorly-threaded stuffing-box received upon the screw-threaded end of the enlargement, a rotatable release valvestem receivedin the bore of the enlargement, the valve-stem provided with an enlarged screw-threaded portion received in the stuft'- ing-box, and a pin removably held in the end of the valve-stem, the pin adapted to enter the valve-chamber and contact with the face of the tapered portion of the valve-plug to unseat the latter when the valve-stem is rotated in one direction and to be withdrawn from the valve-chamber when the valve-stem is rotated in the opposite direction.

12. Anautomaticsafety-valvecomprisinga hollow body portion, and a valve-casing, the valve-casing inclosing a valve-chamber in communication with the hollow interior of the body portion, a valve-seat formed in the chamber, and a movable valve-plug adapted to contact with the seat to close the communication between the valve-chamber and hollow body portion, oppositely-acting springs bearing upon the valve-plug and a hollow removable bushing located within the valvecharnber against which one of the springs bears.

Signed at Mansfield this 5th day of April, 1902.

ADOLPH HARTWIG.

Witnesses:

JAMES E. PAYNE, ALMA HARTWIG. 

